A Textbook Of Applied Aquatic Biology

The book has been written covering applied aspects of hydrobiology in order to cater to the needs of students and teacher in Indian universities and colleges. A textbook of this kind will be of immense use of all those who study or teach a special course in aquatic biology or as part of their curriculum. To start with the book in order to explain the realtionship of the hydrosphere with other components of the ecosphere, a chapter on biosphere is incorporated as Chapter 1. Various physico-chemical properties of water and their interaction with the environmental factors and the responses of organisms to their physical environment are narrated in Chapters 2 and 3 respectively. During the 1990’s there was a mad race to convert the paddy field and mangrove swamps into aquaculture ponds to grow the tiger prawn and earn money along the both coasts of India, specially in Andhra Pradesh. The Coastal Zone Regulation Act 1992, posed stringent measures and the EIA was extended to aquaculture also. Now all the aquaculture ponds with more than 20 ha area are to be scrutinised by EIA before establishment. The importance of ecology and status of mangrove ecosystems of India is included in Chapter 4. Another important aspect of aquatic biology is study of interstitial and intertidal organisms. There is very meagre information available on these topics. With a view to discuss this the topics are dealt in Chapter 5 and 6. Another most fascinating avenue yielding field is pearl culture. In India aquaculture scientists are now producing indigenous pearls using modern techniques. Details about the pearl culture practised and its status is described in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 embodies infromation of drift animals and phytoplankters. Pollution problem is a global concern. The water pollutants, their impact, drinking water purification and water pollution abatement methods adopted in India and elsewhere are illustrated in Chapter 9. The author have carried out research on waste stabilization ponds for waste treatment during the past 20 years. The stabilization pond systems are found to be the most suitable cheap techniques to a tropical country like India. Ecobiology of these ponds is covered in Chapter 10. The last chapter of the book deals with fresh and marine biotoxins which is another rare information being made available for the readers. The book may not only provide reference but also serve as a guide and inspiration for future research. The scientists, teachers, scholars are expected to find this book indispensable. Contents: Chapter 1: Biosphere; Components, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere and their Characteristics, Chapter 2: Physico-chemical Properties of Water; Abiotic Factors, Responses of Organisms to Light, Temperature, Salinity, Pressure, Dissolved Gases, pH Redox Potential, Chapter 3: Freshwater Communities; Lakes and Reservoirs, Ponds and Swamps, Rivers Thermal Springs, Chapter 4: Mangrove Swamps; Introduction, Classification, Characteristics, External Morphology, Seed Germination, Dispersal, Anatomical Features, Adaptations, Succession and Ecological, Economic Management Aspects, Chapter 5: Intertidal Organisms; Environmental Conditions, Adaptations, Resistance to Water and Heat Loss, Mechanical Stress, Respiration, Rocky Shores, Tidepools, Sandy Shores, Mud Shores, Intertidal Fishes, Chapter 6: Interstitial Organisms; Environmental Factors, Composition, Sampling and Extraction, Adaptations, Life History, Ecological Aspects, Chapter 7: Pearl Culture; General Aspects, Morphology and Systematics, Life Cycle, Nacre Formation, Farming, Environmental Conditions, Cultured Pearls, Pearl Quality, Modern Trends, Current Status of Pearl Industry, Chapter 8: Planktonology; Introduction, Classification, Distribution, Indicator Organisms, Plankton Blooms, Collection and Preservation, Plankton Nets, Pollution Indicators, Water Current Indicators, Examples for Drift Organisms, Chapter 9: Water and Pollution Abatement; General Aspects, Water Pollutants, Sources of Pollution, Effects on Streams and Rivers, Zonation, Impacts of Pollution, Case Studies, Drinking Water: Impurities, Testing, Disinfection, Chlorination, Chlorine Tests, Abatement: Basic Purpose, Sewage Treatment, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary of Advanced Treatment, Removal of Algae, Sludge Disposal and Water Quality Regulations, Chapter 10: Waste Stabilization Ponds; History, Importance, Principles, Types of Ponds, Factors Affecting Pond Performance, Biological Activities, Chemical Activities, Enzyme Activities, Economic Uses of Effluents, Sludge, Alage Removal, Chapter 11: Marine and Freshwater Biotoxins; Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), Ciguator Toxin, Neurotic Shellfish Poison (NSP), Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poison (DSP), Cyanophyte Toxins.